proventriculus

 
Pronunciation: /ˌprəʊvɛnˈtrɪkjʊləs/

noun (plural proventriculi)

Zoology
  • the narrow glandular first region of a bird’s stomach between the crop and the gizzard.
  • the thick-walled muscular expansion of the oesophagus above the stomach of crustaceans and insects.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from pro-2 'before' + Latin ventriculus 'small belly', diminutive of venter, ventr- 'belly'